Provide examples of how your book will add to the canon of books on a particular topic, or how your book will offer a fresh angle and new perspective. There are a couple instances of being able to sell a fiction book on proposal. Since they receive dozens of submissions per week, editors and agents need to be highly selective. How to write a nonfiction book proposal nathan bransford. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with examples.
I bought literary agent michael larsens book how to write a book proposal more info on the book below, and followed it stepbystep. Aug 11, 2017 in this webinar, bestselling ghostwriter barry fox focuses on a few key elements of an effective non fiction book proposal that will grab an agent or publisher by the scruff of the neck. Oct 25, 2016 a book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. How to write a nonfiction book proposal become a writer. The following is a template for completing a nonfiction book proposal. Instead of writing the entire book, then trying to interest an editor or agent which is how it works with novels, you write the proposal first. A good place to find a downloadable nonfiction and fiction book proposal template is. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. You can best communicate this by stating the books premise, setting forth a few other details about your book. Give a fairly brief summary of your book here, using a few paragraphs. It also gives helpful examples of ten successful proposals in the fields of business, selfhelp, psychology, spirituality and other areas, analyzing their strengths and considering where they could be improved. That was a two book deal, admittedly, so you can divide the numbers by two to get a per book amount. In the first two paragraphs, give a concrete reason why your book should be published, why is it important, your approach and methodology in writing the book, and include who will be your audience.
Though its written in place of an actual book, it should build a complete argument for the book idea. How to write a nonfiction book proposal mary mackey. This class covers all aspects of creating a book proposal, providing a format to help you showcase your writing and expertise. It includes information on the content, the author, the market, and the salability of the project. Their proposals were drastically different in structure and size but the key components were the same. Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian non fiction manuscript. In a novel, the entire book is written first, then trying to find an editor or publisher. Jan 22, 2019 fiction book proposals are different than non fiction proposals. How to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission. How to write a book proposal is the resource for aspiring nonfiction authors.
Continue on to explain the rest of the book, but be sure youre making it clear what youre selling. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal, part 1. In fact, i found that proposal so interesting that i bought the book. A variety of factors need to line up for a writer to get a yes from agents, acquisition editors, and publishing hou. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal the importance of the book proposal.
Register now, and youll discover 4 essential elements you must consider in. Writing a nonfiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime nonfiction book writer by scott mendel updated february 2018 it will probably seem obvious to you that the nonfiction book proposal is a tool your agent will use to sell your work at the best possible terms, and to secure the strongest possible. From this basis i got offers from three good, wellknown publishers and naturally chose the one which offered the highest advance on royalties. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary. Heres where i share the littleknown truth that getting published is only the beginning. In each case, you must provide the author, the title, the publisher, and the year of initial publication and, book by book, tell us how your proposed book will be as successful as those or more so.
Ive written and published four works of nonfiction and have been involved as a ghost or behindthescenes editor on a couple of other things too. Andy warhol, saint apollonia suite 1984 for all of these reasons, quite a mouthful will make a perfect gift for any general interest non fiction reader. In the case of a nonfiction book, the book proposal in written first before you write the whole book. How to write a nonfiction book proposal writers digest.
If you have an idea for a creative nonfiction book, and want to find a publisher, this class is designed for you. To get your nonfiction book published, put together a strong proposal. My book, book title will be a genre work which will center around the topic of book topic. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a book length work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale. How i wrote a book proposal and found a literary agent. The literary agents guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal by andy ross.
Prepare your book proposal with all of the above factors in mind. If youve had experience submitting novels to literary agents and publishersquery letter, synopsis, sample pagesyou may think you know all you need to know about submitting your selfhelp book or other nonfiction project. How to write a nonfiction book proposal become a writer today. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency, inc. Use the proposal to sell your book to potential literary agents, editors, and publishers. Writing in cyberspace, by moira allen, was submitted to allworth press in 1998, and became the book. Nonfiction book proposal guide creative media agency. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel. And, its not just a strong book proposal that increases your chances of getting a publishing contract and a literary agent. As mentioned in my discussion on how to get published, if youre interested in writing a booklength work of nonfiction, you dont need to write the entire manuscript before you make the sale. Make sure your proposal is as polished as possible by including the following. Its not hard, just a new skill, and the examples in the book will help you. It is by david sanford, a published author, editor, and literary agent for more than 300 books who now serves on the leadership team at corban university.
This ones short and tothepoint, and the last time i. Creative intenet strategies to advance your writing career first edition 1999, second edition may 2003. Vary the verbs and how you use them as much as you can to avoid repetition and so the outline doesnt read like a formula. Include any subhead or taglines that your books title may contain. I like this one because it contains ten reallife proposals that sold. Writing a non fiction book proposal a primer for the firsttime nonfiction book writer by scott mendel updated february 2018 it will probably seem obvious to you that the nonfiction book proposal is a tool your agent will use to sell your work at the best possible terms, and to secure the strongest possible. Your book idea is fantastic, and its time to prove that to the people who can actually publish it. The mysteries of a successful book proposal explained. Jul 29, 2011 there are several books available on writing book proposals. A book proposal is an essential document used in publishing circles to describe the purpose and scope of a potential publication. There are several books available on writing book proposals. This page will direct you to some examples of book proposal sections so that you can put together a winning book proposal. Nonfiction book proposal outline ted weinstein literary. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items and should be attached as a single file to an email with submission.
A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. I dont know why people wont post these, but it gets back to what i was talking about with elitism in publishing. With any luck, itll lure the agent into reading the rest of your proposal, and then you can reel himher in. Mar 19, 2014 how to write a good non fiction book proposal for submission in guest contributors by guest contributor march 19, 2014 christian jennings, author of five non fiction books and a veteran foreign correspondent, explains how to write a good non fiction proposal for submission. How to write a nonfiction book proposal that will sell your book. How to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission 17 mar 2014 christian jennings, who is currently writing a book about the last year of wwii in northern italy, entitled if i live to see the dawn at war on the gothic line 194445. The truth is that getting a literary agent and signing a book contract doesnt usually happen that fast. A good place to find a downloadable non fiction and fiction book proposal template is. I offer a comprehensive course on book proposals that takes you through the research and writing process in 10 steps agent ted weinstein outlines the necessary parts of a book proposal, and also offers an audio recording of his 90minute workshop on proposals my favorite comprehensive guide on book proposals is. Advice that i find myself giving out again and again as an agent is guidance on how to write a nonfiction book proposal.
Try to find successful book proposals, such as the nonfiction book proposal that won me a publishing contract. How to write a non fiction book proposal that will sell your book. Mar 17, 2014 how to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission 17 mar 2014 christian jennings, who is currently writing a book about the last year of wwii in northern italy, entitled if i live to see the dawn at war on the gothic line 194445. Unlike fiction, where an author must have a completed manuscript ready before they approach a publisher or agent, a nonfiction author only needs to develop a proposal to submit to publishers andor agents. Contains the title, author byline, and contact information proposal contents. He is also the host of the publishing profits podcast show where we interview successful authors and publishing industry experts to share their tips for creating a successful writing career. Here is a basic template for a book proposal, which many of our clients have used successfully. If you have the time and want more detailed guidelines, get one of the many excellent books on writing proposals from the writers shelf at your library or local bookstore. Hes worked as an author, editor, and literary agent for more than 20 years, and knows the most frequent mistakes authors make in their proposals. If you look on the internet, you will have a very hard time finding actual book proposals. A one page cover letter or query letter is sufficient. You are also welcome to listen to free audio recordings of teds book proposal bootcamp and other workshops and media appearances. Nonfiction book proposal guide ask yourself these questions and as you write your answers, your proposal will develop before your eyes. Members of aar the association of authors representatives, inc.
The seven vital elements of a successful nonfiction book. The format may differ somewhat according to the publisher or agent to whom you will be presenting your proposal. Creative intenet strategies to advance your writing career first edition 1999. Each header is a necessary element in a complete proposal. A nonfiction book proposal is the key document that allows an agent or publisher to determine the viability of a project. My favorite example was brainblocks by theo tsaousides. Mike discusses the most common reasons why thousands of book proposals christian and mainstream are rejected every year, and teaches writers how to make their book proposals stand out. How to write a book proposal includes plenty of examples and a book proposal template you can follow. The content once an agent or editor flips past the title page, he then wants to know what the book is about. The book proposal is a 1550 or so page manuscript that a writer uses to pitch a nonfiction book to publishers. Your nonfiction proposal should include the following items. It is not unusual for an editor to skim the first part of a book proposal and decide on that basis alone whether to reject the proposed book or read further. The headings and the format that are shown here are representative of several books which have been written on book proposals, information from agents and publishers and my own personal experience. Luckily, two writer friends with successful book proposals shared their proposals with me.
I also sold a book off the back of a nonfiction book proposal that had multiple publishers bidding for the rights, and ended up being sold to harpercollins for. May 08, 2015 rather than drone on listing all the theory on what to write, let me share some examples of a very successful nonfiction book proposal i wrote a few years ago. May 28, 2017 a book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. Tom corsonknowles is the founder of tck publishing, and the bestselling author of 27 books including secrets of the sixfigure author. The summary should start with a strong, short description of the premise of your book and what makes it stand out. The truth is the nonfiction book proposal is an entirely different beast. How to write a successful nonfiction book proposal jeanne. How to write a nonfiction book proposal wolf literary services. When it comes to fiction, few agents or editors expect or require book proposals, but its an incredibly useful tool. Overview describe your book in two or three paragraphs 500 wo. In this section, youll learn how to create an engaged fan base, launch a successful book, and turn that momentum into a thriving, financially viable career as an author. Below are some examples of real book proposals that have actually sold to publishers. If youre an aspiring author, you need to know how to write a book proposal and you can never read or study too many examples of book proposals, chapter summaries, market descriptions, and competing titles. Its especially important if you dont have an agent, as many small and medium publishers accept unsolicited proposals.
Sample new book proposal below is a sample of a complete and exhaustive book proposal for a christian nonfiction manuscript. Its a perk of nonfiction that you can sell a book on proposal before sitting down to the write the whole shebang, and often receiving an advance will help fund research andor travel, making the book possible. Following are examples of two successful book proposals. Andy warhol, saint apollonia suite 1984 for all of these reasons, quite a mouthful will make a perfect gift for any general interest nonfiction reader. The competitive advantages section reveals the uniqueness and value of your book within a competitive marketplace. Fiction book proposal for literary agents literary agencies. Writing an irresistible book proposal writers digest. Elements of a successful nonfiction book proposal dummies.
A book proposal is a document most commonly associated with pitching a nonfiction book. Writing a nonfiction book proposal by scott mendel updated. Fiction book proposals are different than nonfiction proposals. A wellwritten fiction book proposal helps agents and publishers understand why youre qualified to write your book, through your biography section. The final element of the overview is a comparative section where you compare your book to others that would be found in the same place in the bookstore. If your book proposal template convinces the publisher, then they will contract and pay you to write the book. Michael larsen cofounded larsenpomada literary agents in san francisco in 1972 with his partner elizabeth pomada. Gordon warnock, partner, fuse literary agency take it from someone who has seen a lot of book proposals. Rather than drone on listing all the theory on what to write, let me share some examples of a very successful nonfiction book proposal i wrote a few years ago. How to write a good nonfiction book proposal for submission in guest contributors by guest contributor march 19, 2014 christian jennings, author of five nonfiction books and a veteran foreign correspondent, explains how to write a. It breaks down what we are looking for as agents with useful examples and tips from our side of the desk. How to write a nonfiction book proposal with template. Show how the plotline of the book will differ from ordinary, expected plotlines, and how your work will be fascinating and compelling and stand out from the crowd. In this webinar, bestselling ghostwriter barry fox focuses on a few key elements of an effective nonfiction book proposal that will grab an.